Readers Respond: Forecasts, optimism and reality

“Our forecast is for approximately a 2% DROP in housing starts nationally. We believe, however, that Texas may hold up a little better -- not much, but a little. We are overall predicting a 5% sales gain, but some of that is inflation. I am deep-down an optimistic person, but the reality of the late 1980s, early 1990s speaks loudly to me -- and in those days we had far fewer foreclosures than today.”— Byron Potter
Vice-chairman and CEO
Dallas Wholesale Builders Supply Inc.

“With unemployment high, foreclosures high, unsold home inventory high, what factors are changing that would encourage more home construction?”— Paul Gabbard

“Way too optimistic. I think we will be lucky to meet last year’s housing starts in Colorado Springs area.”— Annonymous